James Mercer and Brian Burton a.k.a. Danger Mouse have completed work on the first album by their new and ongoing band Broken Bells. The album, also titled Broken Bells, will be released by Columbia Records March 9, 2010.
Broken Bells features Mercer on vocals, guitars and bass while Burton plays organ, drums, piano, synths and bass. The pair play all the instruments on the album with the exception of a full string section arranged by Daniele Luppi. Broken Bells was recorded by Todd Monfalcone and Kennie Takahashi at Mondo Studio in Los Angeles and produced by Burton.
Brian Burton a.k.a. Danger Mouse has been nominated for 11 Grammy Awards, as both an artist and a producer, winning two in 2006. Picked by Esquire magazine as one of the "75 most influential people of the 21st century," Burton has previously collaborated with a range of artists including Beck, Gorillaz, the Black Keys and others.
James Mercer is best known as the founder, principle songwriter and frontman of the Shins. The Portland, Oregon-based group's Grammy-nominated third album Wincing the Night Away, debuted at #2 on the Billboard 20, the highest charting album to have ever been released solely on the iconic SubPop label.
Back in early February, Alan had a chance to talk to James Mercer and Danger Mouse on the phone. Check it out: